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Sociology Crime and Deviance > The Strain Theory > Flashcards

The Strain Theory Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

who came up with this theory and what sociological theory does it link to?

A

MERTON
-functionalism, although Merton disagrees with their points of crime.

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2
Q

what is this theory called, compared to functionalism?

A

an internal critique

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3
Q

how is the strain theory similar to functionalism?

A

-shared n+vs and beliefs (value consensus)
-anomie causes crime

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4
Q

what are the differences between the strain theory and functionalism, which makes it more useful?

A

-Durkheim failed to explain why anomie occurs, while Merton does
-not as rose-tinted, as Merton acknowledges the inequality of meritocracy

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5
Q

what is a strain theory?

A

a theory that argues that people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.

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6
Q

when does deviance occur?

A

when there is a strain between the goals we are encouraged to achieve, and the structure of society that allows us to achieve legitimately.

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7
Q

what are some examples of common goals?

A

money, house, car, fame, material goods

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8
Q

what are some examples of common means, that are socially approved?

A

goof qualifications, university, high-paid job

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9
Q

what is the American Dream according to Merton?

A

-people value wealth and high status
-people are expected to pursue goals through legitimate means.
-dream of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses.’
-however, some people have blocked opportunities and cannot reach these

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10
Q

what is the strain to anomie?

A

in reality, there is inequality of opportunity and so people experience a strain, leading to people becoming normless.

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11
Q

what are the 5 deviant adaptations to strain?

A

-conformity
-innovation
-ritualism
-retreatism
-rebellion

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12
Q

explain conformity?

A

people accept goals and means

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13
Q

explain innovation?

A

people accept goals but reject legitimate means

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14
Q

explain ritualism?

A

people reject goals but accept means

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15
Q

explain retreatism?

A

people reject goals and means

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16
Q

explain rebellion?

A

people reject goals and means, and replace both with new ones (revolution/change)
-these people are usually political radicals and counter-cultures

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17
Q

what are the strengths of Merton’s strain theory?

A

-can be applied to modern day
-shows that not everyone reacts in the same way
-explains utilitarian crime, as these are common in official statistics
-acknowledges inequalities

18
Q

what are the weaknesses of Merton’s strain theory?

A

-assumes everyone has the same goal
-focuses on WC crime
-only explain utilitarian crime
-only explains crime committed by individuals
-too deterministic, not all WC deviate
-assumes only lower classes commit crime

19
Q

who came up with the subcultural strain theory?

A

Albert Cohen

20
Q

who came up with the 3 types of subculture?

A

Cloward and Ohlin

21
Q

what is the subcultural strain theory?

A

RESEARCH= young WC US boys in 1950s, deliquent
deliquent subcultures help boys, all in the same situation gain a sense of belonging

22
Q

how is the cohen similar to merton?

A

-crime is a WC problem
-WC struggle to meet mainstream goals, caused by blocked opportunities

23
Q

how is cohen different from merton?

A

-merton fails to discuss non-utilitarian crimes, and doesn’t discuss crime committed by groups

24
Q

what are the causes of crime according to cohen?

A

-WC have inability to succeed in MC world
-dominated by MC norms, values and expectations

25
Q

what is the AO2 for the subcultural strain theory?

A

-everyone learns the same values/goals through socialisatoon
-however, WC boys are less likely to achieve at school due to cultural deprivation
-they face anomie so unable to succeed.

26
Q

what is the AO3 for the subcultural strain theory?

A

this leaves them at the bottom of the OFFICIAL STATUS HIERARCHY so the boys suffer STATUS FRUSTRATION

27
Q

what is status frustration?

A

the boys turn to subcultural groups to gain status from peers
-they gain illegitimate status and climb the ALTERNATIVE STATUS HIERARCHY

28
Q

what are the strengths of the subcultural strain theory?

A

-looks at crimes committed by groups
-offers explanation for non-utilitarian crimes
-gang culture that has been around for decades

29
Q

what are the weaknesses of the subcultural strain theory?

A

-gender blind, ignores ladettes
-focuses only on WC
-assumes WC strive for MC goals, culturally different
-too deterministic, not all WC turn to crime
-too simplistic, subcultures may be more complex

30
Q

what are the three subcultures according to CLOWARD and OHLIN?

A

-criminal subculture (present in areas with stable criminal culture/established criminal hierarchy.
-conflict subculture (present in areas with little social unity cohesion and informal social control
-retreatist subculture (central around drug abuse)

31
Q

what did cloward and ohlin say about the three subcultures?

A

-WC youths denied legitimate opportunities to be successful, so join subcultures

32
Q

what did cloward and ohlin say subcultures are based on?

A

-where you live
-the opportunity available

33
Q

what is the criminal subculture?

A

-learning environment for young criminals from criminal role models
-crime becomes trade

34
Q

what is the conflict subculture?

A

-commit crime to release frustrations
-alternative source of status by ‘winning turf’

35
Q

what is the retreatist subculture?

A

-those who have failed to succeed in legitimate/illegitimate opportunity structures
-‘double failures.’

36
Q

what is the evaluation of the three subcultures?

A

-agree crime is WC but ignore crimes of wealthy
-more useful, greater diversity of subcultural responses
-assumes that everyone starts off sharing the same mainstream goals and face status frustration.
-more useful than cohen as it shows more than one response

37
Q

explain MATZAs Drift Theory?

A

-we drift in and out of deviant subcultures
-not strongly committed to subculture, so may turn deviant to satisfy needs

38
Q

why is the drift theory useful?

A

explains that subcultures may only be a temporary response.

39
Q

what is Miller’s the working class subculture?

A

-deviant behaviour does not occur in subcultures due to inability of LC in achieving mainstream success
-INSTEAD, Miller argues that MC and WC have their own distinctive set of basic values, beliefs and norms of behaviour they strive for

40
Q

what are the four focal concerns that Miller mentions?

A

-toughness= attempt to maintain reputation (fighting)
-smartness= ‘street smart’, capacity to outfox, outwit and dupe others (fraud)
–excitement= the search for thrills (substance abuse)
-fate= little can be done about their lives, ‘what will be will be’

Sociology Crime and Deviance (11 decks)

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